There is a CNA at the nursing home where I work who has been there a very long time. I've always gone out of my way to be friendly to the people I work with but I now understand why it is not a good idea for a supervisor to become too chummy with the people they supervise.
This CNA has started asking if I can get her some "hydros." She told me to not dare tell anyone about our conversations and I assured her I would not. Today, when she saw me, she asked have you been thinking about me? I said sure, then laughed as if I just then understood what she meant (though I knew full well what she meant by asking that) and told her I couldn't get her any "pills" and walked away.
The whole deal has made me feel like I stepped in a huge pile of you-know-what. I'm not about to start slipping "hydros" or anything else to this person, but that she would start even asking me has me feeling very uncomfortable. It kind of scares me, too. Who knows if she would have a couple of thugs find out where I live and try to scare me into getting drugs for her? I don't like this whole deal.
If she asks me again I'm going to tell her to go see her doctor. I won't tell on her for this but I don't know what to do about getting her to stop asking me to do something like that.
Have you ever had such a situation? I do understand now why supervisors do not fraternize with underlings. I'm keeping my distance now.
There is a CNA at the nursing home where I work who has been there a very long time. I've always gone out of my way to be friendly to the people I work with but I now understand why it is not a good idea for a supervisor to become too chummy with the people they supervise.
This CNA has started asking if I can get her some "hydros." She told me to not dare tell anyone about our conversations and I assured her I would not. Today, when she saw me, she asked have you been thinking about me? I said sure, then laughed as if I just then understood what she meant (though I knew full well what she meant by asking that) and told her I couldn't get her any "pills" and walked away.
The whole deal has made me feel like I stepped in a huge pile of you-know-what. I'm not about to start slipping "hydros" or anything else to this person, but that she would start even asking me has me feeling very uncomfortable. It kind of scares me, too. Who knows if she would have a couple of thugs find out where I live and try to scare me into getting drugs for her? I don't like this whole deal.
If she asks me again I'm going to tell her to go see her doctor. I won't tell on her for this but I don't know what to do about getting her to stop asking me to do something like that.
Have you ever had such a situation? I do understand now why supervisors do not fraternize with underlings. I'm keeping my distance now.
You are obligated to report her immediately. I can't understand why you would let this go as long as you have and I'm surprised that you would LAUGH about it with this person. This individual needs help and should not be trusted to look after anyone.
She doesn't work on my hall anymore, though she still finds opportunity to talk to me.
I'm going to stay FAR AWAY and make sure I am not alone with her ever again.
I indeed work at a place where the nurses get no back up and in fact the aides are treated better. Seeing as this person has been there 20 yrs. I have no doubt who would be held in higher regard. This doesn't mean I'm treated poorly in every aspect, but I know how this would go. And if I did report her she could deny the whole thing, and they would probably believe her.
Running to another job isn't really an option. The jobs aren't so plentiful here I can just go pluck one off the job tree. The only thing I can think of is to steer far away from her from now on. It is horrible to have secrets, especially those kinds. I hate what addiction can do. She told me not long ago that she wouldn't have any problem getting more, she just had to get her script refilled. This must not have been true, because when she talks to me now I see a desperate person and this gives me such a bad feeling.
I HATE DRUGS. What exactly do these addicts get out of them that makes them want to have them all the time??? I don't understand addiction and how it can completely take over a person's life, but it must be hell. Now that this aide and me have this "secret" I feel like I've stepped into this dark realm (hell) and things will never be the same with her again (I've known her for many years-she just started this hydro thing a couple of weeks ago- and it's hard to take.)
I have heard an addict will kill for drugs. I don't know if I am blowing this out of proportion, but I do not feel like I'm talking to a rational feeling person anymore. She even asked me if I could "steal" drugs from my husband (she knows he had major surgery recently.) Of course, I told her I could not.
Which would be harder-finding another job as a nurse or finding another job without a nursing license? I understand that you are scared of this person, but you can't let your fear cloud your judgement and keep you from doing what is right.
The fact that she even asked kinda makes me wonder if she's gotten drugs from other staffers.
Needs to be "weeded out," IMO.
Angie,
I was thinking the same thing. If she's worked at this facility for 20 years, chances are she has done this before with success. I can't imagine a nurse handing out drugs to other staffers, but I've heard of stranger things.
So..let me understand.. this individual is most likely abusing drugs and potentially caring for dependent and vulnerable patients while in an altered state of mind..I'm sorry I realize this puts you in a difficult predicament but I can't believe you are not taking action. What if something happens to a patient due to this person?? I'm having a very difficult time understanding why you are not protecting yourself, your license, but most of all, your patients.. am i missing something here???
What are you going to do when she DOES tell you to give her drugs or she's going to report YOU for diversion?
What are you going to do if you find out she's been diverting from patients (taking off their pain patches and putting them on herself)?
What are you going to do when they find her passed out and stoned at work, and the head hunt begins for anyone who knew about her drug abuse? Uncomfortable going to your boss? How uncomfortable are you going to be when you're met at the door with the head of nursing saying, "I need to see you in my office."
If you're worried about retaliation from your employer, you don't need to work there, because sooner or later, (and probably sooner) they are going to hang you out to dry. If you are concerned and scared and don't think you can talk to your employer, call the state board, tell them your concerns and fear of retribution by both the employee and management, and let them handle it.
I'm going out on a limb, here, but have you tried sitting down with her and telling her how you feel and that you're concerned about her? If she has worked there for over 20 years she must at least be in her late 30's or older. Does she have a newly diagnosed medical condition that she doesn't know how to deal with? Could she be suicidal? I feel that if you make the attempt to find out where she's coming from, then if and when you have to go to admin or higher, there will be no question that you were truly concerned. Just a thought.....
I'm going out on a limb, here, but have you tried sitting down with her and telling her how you feel and that you're concerned about her? If she has worked there for over 20 years she must at least be in her late 30's or older. Does she have a newly diagnosed medical condition that she doesn't know how to deal with? Could she be suicidal? I feel that if you make the attempt to find out where she's coming from, then if and when you have to go to admin or higher, there will be no question that you were truly concerned. Just a thought.....
great post, bedpan.
it shows sensitivity and careful thought before running to report.
that's just it...has she become hooked on "hydros" etc...because of some new pain issues or a built up tolerance to meds? Possibly the insurance through the job is not working any more for co-pays etc...falling through the cracks due to salary issues.
Personally, I have an issue with the whole "non-reporting" thing. Of course you're concerned, but I would want to make sure MY butt is covered! I can't get another job without a license! and I know that the job tree isn't sprouting, but do you really want to work somewhere that something as serious as this boiled down to a seniority issue? I would ask her about it, and then discuss what you would do...and tell her that you will NEVER have conversation with her regarding drugs/joking or no.....
I feel for you..I do. but you are MANDATED to report. I felt likewise...we discovered that a LPN was not giving patients pain meds, when they would get shots and they were not having any relief. We all liked her, but we knew patients came first....good luck to you....
You are obligated to report her immediately. I can't understand why you would let this go as long as you have and I'm surprised that you would LAUGH about it with this person. This individual needs help and should not be trusted to look after anyone.
If you read between the lines you would be able to tell I wasn't really "laughing" with this person...it isn't funny at all.
emmycRN
191 Posts
You are obligated to report her immediately. I can't understand why you would let this go as long as you have and I'm surprised that you would LAUGH about it with this person. This individual needs help and should not be trusted to look after anyone.